Liquid crystal projector comprising a plurality of light shielding members fixed between the lens array and the polarized light generator

ABSTRACT

Heat generation is inhibited in a polarized light generating optics system in a projector. 
     A liquid crystal projector includes: lens arrays  140, 150  that generate partial light beams from a light beam emitted from a light source; and a polarized light generating optics system  160  that generates polarized light, which is to be supplied to liquid crystal light valves, from the partial light beams. The polarized light generating optics system  160  separates s-polarized light and p-polarized light by polarization separating films  64   a . The s-polarized light is reflected from reflecting films  64   b  and is emitted directly. The p-polarized light is converted into s-polarized light by a selective phase difference plate  66  and is emitted therefrom. The polarized light generating optics system  160  is equipped with light shielding surfaces  62   b  that shield light from entering into the reflecting films  64   b . The lens arrays  140, 150  are also equipped with light shielding members  143, 153  that act similarly as the light shielding surfaces. Disposing the light shielding members  143, 153  can inhibit heat generation on the light shielding surfaces  62   b.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal projector thatprojects and displays an image by using liquid crystal panels, and moreparticularly to a liquid crystal projector that includes a shieldingplate in its polarized light generator.

BACKGROUND ART

A liquid crystal projector modulates light by liquid crystal lightvalves and projects an image onto a screen. In order to effectively useirradiating light from a light source, a polarized light generator istypically included to unify the irradiating light into s-polarized lightor p-polarized light and to enter the polarized light into the liquidcrystal light valves, as disclosed in JP1996-304739A, for example. Forexample, a polarized light generator that generates s-polarized lightincludes: a plurality of polarization separating layers that separateirradiating light into s-polarized light and p-polarized light; aplurality of reflecting layers that reflect the separated s-polarizedlight or p-polarized light; and a phase plate layer that converts theseparated p-polarized light into s-polarized light. In typical, thepolarization separating layers and the reflecting layers are arrangedalternately and parallel to one another, and the phase plate layer isdisposed corresponding to the polarization separating layers or thereflecting layers. Furthermore, since no desired polarized light can beobtained if the light enters directly into the reflecting layers, thepolarized light generator generally includes a light shielding platethat shields the light entering the reflecting layers, as disclosed inWO 97/50012, for example. The light shielding plate is disposed at alight incident side of the polarized light generator, and is aplate-like member that has light shielding portions corresponding to thereflecting layers and opening portions corresponding to the polarizationseparating layers.

The polarized light generator of such a structure is used in combinationwith a so-called integrator optical system that divides a light beamfrom the light source into a plurality of partial light beams andsuperposes them on the liquid crystal light valves. In this case, thelight from the light source is divided into a plurality of partial lightbeams and the obtained partial light beams converge toward thepolarization separating layers. In other words, the light enters thepolarization separating portions in a state of being converged onto theopening portions of the light shielding plate. Accordingly, onlyapproximately 5% of the light is shielded by the light shielding plate.

The light shielding member generates heat when it shields the light. Theheat may possibly subject the polarized light generator and thus thephase plate layer disposed thereon to high temperatures. Since the phaseplate layer is generally composed of organic matters, subjecting it tohigh temperatures may possibly cause a decrease in a useful life of thelayer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems related to the prior art andmitigates adverse effects due to heat generation in the polarized lightgenerator.

In order to solve the above problems, a first structure of the presentinvention discloses a projector that modulates polarized light by liquidcrystal light valves and projects an image. The projector includes:

a light source that emits a light beam;

a lens array that divides the light beam into a plurality of partiallight beams;

a polarized light generator to which the partial light beams is incidentand that generates polarized light to be emitted to the liquid crystallight valves;

the polarized light generator includes:

-   -   a plurality of polarization separating layers that separate each        of the incident partial light beams into s-polarized light and        p-polarized light;    -   a plurality of reflecting layers that reflect the s-polarized        light or the p-polarized light that was separated by the        polarization separating layers, the polarization separating        layers and the reflecting layers are arranged alternately; and    -   a phase plate layer that unifies the separated s-polarized light        and p-polarized light into one direction of polarization;

a first light shielding member disposed between a light incident side ofthe polarized light generator and the lens array, the first lightshielding member having a plurality of light shielding portions that aredisposed corresponding to the reflecting layers, and the plurality oflight shielding portions inhibiting the partial light beams fromentering layers other than the polarization separating layers; and

a second light shielding member disposed between the first lightshielding member and the lens array, the second light shielding memberhaving a plurality of light shielding portions that are disposedcorresponding to the reflecting layers, and the plurality of lightshielding portions inhibiting the partial light beams from entering thereflecting layers.

The projector of the present invention has not only the first lightshielding member disposed at the incident side of the polarized lightgenerator, but also the second light shielding member. In this way, itis possible to inhibit heat generation in the first light shieldingmember disposed at the light incident side of the polarized lightgenerator and to mitigate adverse effects due to the heat generation,such as a decrease in a useful life of the phase plate layer.

In general, the closer the light shielding member is located withrespect to the polarized light generator, more precisely it can shieldthe partial light beams from entering layers other than the polarizationseparating layers. In the present invention, disposing the lightshielding members at two places or more, including at the light incidentside of the polarized light generator, ensures shielding of light withhigher precision while mitigating adverse effects due to heat.

In the present invention, widths of the light shielding portions of thesecond light shielding member are preferably set smaller than widths ofthe light shielding portions of the first light shielding member. Inthis way, it is possible to inhibit unnecessary shielding of light. Itshould be noted that in the case where more than two light shieldingmembers are included, widths of light shielding portions of at least twoof them may satisfy such a relationship.

The projector of the present invention may also include:

a second lens array that is disposed at the light incident side of thepolarized light generator; with

the first light shielding member being disposed at a light exit side of

the second lens array; and

the second light shielding member being disposed at a light incidentside of the second lens array.

In the integrator optical system, the partial light beams become morecondensed as they get closer to the polarized light generator.Accordingly, in the structure that has the second lens array at thelight incident side of the polarized light generator, disposing thelight shielding members in a way to sandwich the second lens array canadvantageously lower the possibility of shielding the light that must beusable and ensure easier shielding of the unusable light, therebyimproving usability and light shielding efficiency of the light.

A second structure of the present invention discloses a projector thatmodulates light by liquid crystal light valves and projects an image,including:

a light source that emits a light beam;

a lens array that divides the light beam into a plurality of partiallight beams;

a polarized light generator to which the partial light beams is incidentand that generates polarized light to be emitted to the liquid crystallight valves;

the polarized light generator includes:

-   -   a plurality of polarization separating layers that separate each        of the incident partial light beams into s-polarized light and        p-polarized light;    -   a plurality of reflecting layers that reflect the s-polarized        light or the p-polarized light that was separated by the        polarization separating layers, the polarization separating        layers and the reflecting layers are arranged alternately; and    -   a phase plate layer that unifies the separated s-polarized light        and p-polarized light into one direction of polarization;

a plurality of light shielding members disposed between a light incidentside of the polarized light generator and the lens array, the pluralityof light shielding members having a plurality of light shieldingportions that are disposed corresponding to the reflecting layers, andthe plurality of light shielding portions inhibiting the partial lightbeams from entering the reflecting layers.

Any number of light shielding members can be disposed at any locationbetween the first lens array and the polarized light generator. Withsuch a structure, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the firststructure.

In the second structure, widths of the respective light shieldingportions in the plurality of light shielding members may be set smallerwith increasing a distance from the polarized light generator.

In addition, a second lens array may disposed at the light incident sideof the polarized light generator, with

at least one of the plurality of light shielding members being disposedat a light exit side of the second lens array; and

at least one of the rest of the plurality of light shielding membersbeing disposed at a light incident side of the second lens array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic that shows the outline structure of a projector asan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an illumination optics system 100.

FIG. 3 is a schematic that shows the arrangement of light shieldingmembers.

FIG. 4 is a schematic that illustrates a light shielding member 143.

FIG. 5 is a schematic that illustrates a light shielding member 153.

FIG. 6 is a schematic that shows the arrangement of light shieldingmembers as a modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. General Structure:

FIG. 1 is a schematic that shows the outline structure of a projector asan embodiment. A projector 1000 includes: an illumination optics system100; a colored light separation optics system 200; a relay optics system220; three liquid crystal light valves 300R, 300G, and 300B; a crossdichroic prism 520; and a projector lens 540.

The illumination optics system 100 emits light from a light source 120.The colored light separation optics system 200 uses dichroic mirrors202, 204 to separate the light into three colors i.e. red (R), green(G), and blue (B). The dichroic mirror 202 allows the red colored lightR to pass through while reflecting the blue colored light B and thegreen colored light G, thereby separating the red colored light R. Thedichroic mirror 202 allows the blue colored light B to pass throughwhile reflecting the green colored light G, thereby separating the bluecolored light B and the green colored light G.

The red colored light R reflects from a reflecting mirror 208, passesthrough a field lens 232, and enters a liquid crystal light valve 300R.The field lens 232 converts the incident light into a light beam that issubstantially parallel to its central axis. The green colored light Greflects from the dichroic mirror 204, passes through a field lens 234,and enters a liquid crystal light valve 300G. The blue colored lightgoes through the relay optics system 220 and enters a liquid crystallight valve 300B. The relay optics system 200 is comprised of threelenses: a light incident side lens 222, a relay lens 226, and a fieldlens 230; and two reflecting mirrors 224, 228.

Each colored light is modulated in the respective liquid crystal lightvalves 300R, 300G, 300B according to image information. The respectivemodulated colored lights are combined in the cross dichroic prism 520and are projected onto a screen SC via the projector lens 540.

B. Illumination Optics System:

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the illumination optics system 100. In thepresent embodiment, an integrator optical system, i.e. an optical systemthat divides a light beam from a light source into a plurality ofpartial light beams and superposes them in liquid crystal light valves,is used.

In the illumination optics system 100, a light source apparatus 120emits an approximately parallel light beam. The light emitted from alight source lamp 122 is reflected by a reflector 124. Although thereflector 124 has a concave surface of ellipsoid of revolution in thepresent embodiment, the reflector 124 may also have a concave surface ofparaboloid of revolution. The reflected light is converted by aparallelizing lens 126 into light that is approximately parallel to alight source optical axis 120 ax.

A first lens array 140 has a plurality of planoconvex lenses 142 thatare arranged in a matrix in an X-direction and a Y-direction. Eachconvex lens 142 appears to have a rectangular outline when being lookedfrom a Z-direction, which is geometrically similar to an image formationarea in a liquid crystal light valve LA. The first lens array 140divides the light beam emitted from the light source apparatus 120 intoa plurality of partial light beams. It should be noted that although theplanoconvex lenses 142 are used in the present embodiment, biconvexlenses may also be used alternatively. In addition, although curvedsurfaces of the planoconvex lenses 142 face the light source 120 in thepresent embodiment, the curved surfaces may also face a polarized lightgenerating optics system 160.

Similar to the first lens array 140, a second lens array 150 also has aplurality of planoconvex lenses 152 that are arranged in a matrix in theX-direction and the Y-direction. The second lens array 150 functions tounify central axes of the respective partial light beams into adirection that is approximately parallel to a system optical axis 100ax. It should be noted that although a lens array of the same size andthe same shape as the first lens array 140 is used for the second lensarray 150 in the present embodiment, various lens arrays of differentsizes and different shapes may also be used alternatively. Unlike thefirst lens array 140, however, the outline of each convex lens 152 whenbeing looked from the Z-direction is not necessarily geometricallysimilar to the image formation area in the liquid crystal light valveLA. It should be noted that although the planoconvex lenses 152 are usedin the present embodiment, biconvex lenses may also be usedalternatively. In addition, curved surfaces of the planoconvex lenses152 may also face the polarized light generating optics system 160,rather than the light source 120.

The polarized light generating optics system 160 includes a lightshielding member 62, a polarizing beam splitter array 64, and aselective phase difference plate 66.

The polarizing beam splitter array 64 is formed by bonding together aplurality of columnar light transmissive plate materials, each of whichhaving an approximately parallelogram cross section. A polarizationseparating film 64 a or a reflecting film 64 b is alternately providedat each of the interfaces of the light transmissive plate materials. Thepolarization separating films 64 a allow p-polarized light to passthrough while reflecting off s-polarized light, thereby separatingincident partial light beams into s-polarized light and p-polarizedlight. The polarization separating films 64 a can be formed ofdielectric multilayer films, for example. The reflecting films 64 b arethe films that reflect off every light beam and can be formed ofdielectric multilayer films or metal films. It should be noted that, forthe reflecting films 64 b, the films that only reflect s-polarized lightmay also be used in place of the films that reflect every light beam(both the s-polarized light and the p-polarized light). Such films canbe formed of dielectric multilayer films.

The light shielding member 62 has light shielding surfaces 62 b andopening surfaces 62 a arranged in stripes. The light shielding surfaces62 b are positioned so as to prevent entries of light into therespective reflecting films 64 b and the opening surfaces 62 a arepositioned so as to allow entries of light into the respectivepolarization separating films 64 a. For the light shielding member 62, atabular transparent body (for example, a glass plate) that is partiallyformed with light shielding films (for example, chrome films, aluminumfilms, dielectric multilayer films, or the like) can be used.Alternatively, a light shielding plate such as an aluminum plate that isformed with opening portions may be used. Alternatively, the lightshielding member 62 a may be formed with light shielding surfaces thatare made of light shielding evaporated films (for example, chrome films,aluminum films, or dielectric multilayer films) only at portions thatcorrespond to the reflecting films 64 b among an entire light incidentside of the polarizing beam splitter array 64. It should be noted thatother light shielding members other than the light shielding member 62are also included in the present embodiment, although not illustrated inFIG. 2. The arrangement of these light shielding members is discussed indetail later.

The selective phase difference plate 66 has opening layers 66 a and λ/2phase plate layers 66 a arranged in stripes. The opening layers 66 aallow polarized light to pass through directly. The λ/2 phase platelayers 66 b are polarization conversion elements comprised of organicmatters, and convert the direction of polarization of the incident lightinto a direction perpendicular thereto and emit the converted light.This function converts p-polarized light into s-polarized light, forexample. The λ/2 phase plate layers 66 b are arranged so as to allow theentry of light that has passed through the polarization separating films64 a. It should be noted that the selective phase difference plate 66may only have the λ/2 phase plate layers 66 a and not the opening layers66 a. Alternatively, the λ/2 phase plate layers 66 b and the openinglayers 66 a may be switched their locations, so that the λ/2 phase platelayers 66 b may be in places corresponding to the reflecting layers 64b, and vice versa. In short, the selective phase difference plate 66 isnot restricted to the configuration used in the present embodiment, butmay be in any configuration as long as it can unify the light from thepolarizing beam splitter array 64 into one direction of polarization.

The partial light beams emitted from the lens arrays 140 and 150 passthrough the opening surfaces 62 a of the light shielding member 62 andenters the polarization separating films 64 a. Among the incident light,p-polarized light passes through the polarization separating films 64 a,enters the λ/2 phase plate layers 66 b, and is converted intos-polarized light. Among the incident light, s-polarized light isreflected from the polarization separating films 64 a and is emittedfrom the opening layers 66 a without change. In this way, the lightemitted from the polarized light generating optics system 160 can beapproximately unified into s-polarized light. The polarized lightgenerating optics system 160 may also have the λ/2 phase plate layers 66b and the opening layers 66 a switched their locations so that thesystem may be configured to unify the light into p-polarized light.

The partial light beams emitted from the polarized light generatingoptics system 160 are superposed on an illumination area LA by asuperposing lens 170. At this time, an intensity of the lightirradiating the illumination area LA may have an approximately uniformdistribution.

C. Arrangement of Light Shielding Members:

FIG. 3 is a schematic that shows the arrangement of the light shieldingmembers, illustrating an enlarged view of the lens arrays 140 and 150and the polarized light generating optics system 160. Although notillustrated in FIG. 2, the present embodiment further includes lightshielding members 143 and 153 that are disposed between the lightshielding member 62 and the first lens array 140.

The light shielding member 143 is disposed at a light exit side of thefirst lens array 140. The light shielding member 143 has a structurewith opening surfaces 143 a and light shielding surfaces 143 b arrangedin stripes, as shown in FIG. 4. The light shielding surfaces 143 b aredisposed at boundaries of the lenses 152 in the Y-direction. For thelight shielding member 143, a tabular transparent body (for example, aglass plate) that is partially formed with light shielding films (forexample, chrome films, aluminum films, dielectric multilayer films, orthe like) can be used. Alternatively, a light shielding plate such as analuminum plate that is formed with opening portions may be used. Sincethe lens array 140 of the present embodiment uses planoconvex lenses 152that have their curved surfaces facing the light source 120, it is alsopossible to form light shielding surfaces that are made of lightshielding evaporated films (for example, chrome films, aluminum films,or dielectric multilayer films) on the light exit side surface of thefirst lens array 140 to use them as the light shielding member 143.

The light shielding member 153 is disposed at the light exit side of thesecond lens array 150. As shown in FIG. 5, the light shielding member153 has a structure with light shielding surfaces 153 b, which are madeof light shielding evaporated films (for example, chrome films, aluminumfilms, or dielectric multilayer films) that are formed in stripes alongthe boundaries in the Y-direction, on flat surfaces of the lenses 152constituting the lens array 150. The light shielding member 153 is notrestricted to such a structure, but may also be a tabular transparentbody (for example, a glass plate) that is partially formed with lightshielding films (for example, chrome films, aluminum films, dielectricmultilayer films, or the like) as well as a light shielding plate suchas an aluminum plate that is formed with opening portions.

Suppose the system is in a completely ideal state, a light beam emittedfrom the light source 20 parallelly enters the lens array 140 and isdivided into a plurality of partial light beams, converges as it getscloser to the polarized light generating optics system 160, and finallybecomes spot-like on a polarization separating film 64 a, as shown bychain lines LP3 in FIG. 3. In practice, however, the light may sometimesbe unable to converge within an opening surface 62 a of the lightshielding member 52, as shown by dashed lines LP2 in FIG. 3, due tovarious factors such as the light source lamp 122 not being a pointsource (the light source 122 has a light of a finite size), designerrors of the optical elements, axial deviations between the opticalelements, and so on. In case where the light shielding members 143 and153 are not included, the light is shielded only by the light shieldingmember 62 in a region A, which results in a generation of large heatvalue on the light shielding member 62. In the present embodiment,however, providing the light shielding members 143 and 153 candistribute heat-generating portions, as shown by solid lines LP1 in FIG.3, so that heat generation on the light shielding member 62 can beinhibited. It is therefore possible to inhibit heat generation on theselective phase difference plate 66 that is comprised of organicmatters, thereby restraining a decrease in its useful life.

Considering that the partial light beams converge as they get closer tothe polarized light generating optics system 160, ideally, as shown bythe chain lines LP3, it is preferable that the farther from the lightshielding member 62 a light shielding member is, the narrower the widths(the sizes in the X-direction) of its light shielding surfaces are set.That is to say, widths of the light shielding surfaces 143 bs of thelight shielding member 143 are preferably set narrower than widths ofthe light shielding surfaces 153 b of the light shielding member 153.Similarly, considering the presence of the light shielding member 62, itis preferable that the farther from the polarized light generator 160 alight shielding member is, the narrower the widths (the sizes in theX-direction) of its light shielding surfaces are set. That is to say, itis preferable that the widths of the light shielding surfaces are set tohave the following relationship: (the widths of the light shieldingsurfaces 62 b)>(the widths of the light shielding surfaces 153 b)>(thewidths of the light shielding surfaces 143 b). This is because settingthe widths of the light shielding surfaces 62 b, 153 b and 143 b in sucha relationship can reduce the possibility of undesirably shielding thelight that is usable in the liquid crystal light valves 300R, 300G,300B.

For example, in case where a cooling mechanism is provided for coolingthe polarizing beam splitter array 64 so as to prevent an elevation oftemperature in the selective phase difference plate 66, it is possibleto downsize the cooling mechanism and reduce noises therein in thepresent embodiment, since heat generation can be inhibited in the lightshielding member 62.

From the viewpoint of light shielding performance that shields entriesof light into the reflecting films 64 b, it is preferable to dispose thelight shielding member 62 on the polarizing beam splitter array 64itself. In the present embodiment, using the light shielding members 143and 153 in combination with the light shielding member 62 ensures thelight shielding performance while inhibiting heat generation on thelight shielding member 62.

D. Modifications:

The number and the locations of the light shielding members may be setas appropriate by taking into account tolerance for heat generation,level of convergence for partial light beams, and such. The widths ofthe light shielding surfaces of the light shielding members may be setas appropriate by taking into account the tolerance for heat generation,the level of convergence for partial light beams, and additionally thelocations where the light shielding members are disposed.

In other words, the number of the light shielding members is notrestricted to three, although three light shielding members 62, 143 and153 are used in the above-described embodiment. For example, any one ofthe light shielding members 143 and 153 may be omitted. The lightshielding member 62 may be omitted too, although it is disposed in thepolarized light generating optics system 160 in the present embodiment.This enables further inhibition of heat generation in the polarizedlight generating optics system, although the light shielding performancemay possibly be degraded. In addition to the light shielding members 62,143 and 153, it is also possible to dispose one or more light shieldingmembers in locations such as between the lens array 150 and thepolarized light generating optics system 160 (for example, in a region Bof FIG. 3) or between the lens array 140 and the lens array 150 (forexample, in a region C of FIG. 3).

Furthermore, the locations where the light shielding members aredisposed are also not restricted to those described in the aboveembodiment. For example, although the light shielding member 143 isdisposed at the light exit side of the first lens array 140 in the aboveembodiment, the light shielding member 143 may also be disposed slightlycloser to the second lens array between the lens array 140 and the lensarray 150 (for example, in the region C of FIG. 3). Similarly, althoughthe light shielding member 153 is disposed at the light exit side of thesecond lens array 150 in the above embodiment, the light shieldingmember 153 may also be disposed slightly closer to the polarized lightgenerating optics system 160 between the lens array 150 and thepolarized light generating optics system 160 (for example, in the regionB of FIG. 3).

That is to say, all that is required is that at least two lightshielding members are disposed between the first lens array 140 and thelight incident side of the polarizing beam splitter array 164, whichfunctions as the polarized light generator.

In consideration of practicality, it is preferable that the two lightshielding members are disposed to sandwich the second lens array 150.That is to say, as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that one lightshielding member 62 or 153 is disposed at the light exit side of thesecond lens array 150, while the other light shielding member 143 isdisposed at the light incident side of the second lens array 150. Asdescribed previously, the partial light beams converge as they getcloser to the polarizing beam splitter array 64. Such an arrangement ofthe light shielding members can thus lower the possibility of shieldingthe light that must be usable and ensure easier shielding of theunusable light. It is thus possible to improve usability and lightshielding efficiency of the light, while achieving an effect ofdistributing heat generating portions.

Although various embodiments of the present invention are describedabove, it is clearly understood that the present invention is notrestricted to these embodiments, but there may be various configurationswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example,the present invention is also applicable to projectors that usereflective type of liquid crystal apparatuses. There are two types ofliquid crystal projectors: a front-type that projects an image from aside of viewing its projecting surface; and a rear type that projects animage from a direction opposite to a side of viewing its projectingsurface, to both of which the present invention is applicable. Thenumber of the liquid crystal light valves is not restricted to three,but there may be one, two, four, or more than four of them to beincluded. In addition, the present invention is applicable not only tocolor projectors but also to monochrome projectors.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be used to inhibit heat generation in apolarized light generator, in a liquid crystal projector that projectsand displays an image by using liquid crystal panels.

1. A projector that modulates polarized light by at least one liquidcrystal light valve and projects an image, comprising: a light sourcethat emits a light beam; a lens array that divides the light beam into aplurality of partial light beams; a polarized light generator to whichthe partial light beams are incident and that generates polarized lightto be emitted to the at least one liquid crystal light valve; thepolarized light generator includes: a plurality of polarizationseparating layers that separate each of the incident partial light beamsinto s-polarized light and p-polarized light, respectively; a pluralityof reflecting layers that reflect the s-polarized light or thep-polarized light that was separated by the polarization separatinglayers, the polarization separating layers and the reflecting layers arearranged alternately; and a phase plate layer that unifies the separateds-polarized light and p-polarized light into one direction ofpolarization; a first stationary light shielding member unmovably fixedbetween a light incident side of the polarized light generator and thelens array, the first light shielding member having a plurality of lightshielding portions that are disposed corresponding to the reflectinglayers, and the plurality of light shielding portions inhibiting thepartial light beams from entering layers other than the polarizationseparating layers; and a second stationary light shielding memberunmovably fixed between the first light shielding member and the lensarray, the second light shielding member having a plurality of lightshielding portions that are disposed corresponding to the reflectinglayers, and the plurality of light shielding portions inhibiting thepartial light beams from entering the reflecting layers.
 2. Theprojector according to claim 1, widths of the light shielding portionsof the second light shielding member being set smaller than widths ofthe light shielding portions of the first light shielding member.
 3. Theprojector according to claim 1, further comprising: a second lens arraythat is disposed at the light incident side of the polarized lightgenerator; the first light shielding member being disposed at a lightexit side of the second lens array; and the second light shieldingmember being disposed at a light incident side of the second lens array.4. A projector that modulates polarized light by at least one liquidcrystal light valve and projects an image, comprising; a light sourcethat emits a light beam; a lens array that divides the light beam into aplurality of partial light beams; a polarized light generator to whichthe partial light beams are incident and that generates polarized lightto be emitted to the at least one liquid crystal light valve; thepolarized light generator includes: a plurality of polarizationseparating layers that separate each of the incident partial light beamsinto s-polarized light and p-polarized light; a plurality of reflectinglayers that reflect the s-polarized light or the p-polarized light thatwas separated by the polarization separating layers, the polarizationseparating layers and the reflecting layers are arranged alternately;and a phase plate layer that unifies the separated s-polarized light andp-polarized light into one direction of polarization; and a plurality ofstationary light shielding members unmovably fixed between a lightincident side of the polarized light generator and the lens array, theplurality of light shielding members having a plurality of lightshielding portions that are disposed corresponding to the reflectinglayers, and the plurality of light shielding portions inhibiting thepartial light beams from entering the reflecting layers.
 5. Theprojector according to claim 4, a width of each light shielding portionin the plurality of light shielding members being set smaller withincreasing a distance from the polarized light generator.
 6. Theprojector according to claim 4, further comprising: a second lens arraythat is disposed at the light incident side of the polarized lightgenerator; at least one of the plurality of light shielding membersbeing disposed at a light exit side of the second lens array; and atleast one of the rest of the plurality of light shielding members beingdisposed at a light incident side of the second lens array.
 7. Aprojector comprising: a light source that emits a light beam; a lensarray that divides the light beam into a plurality of partial lightbeams; a polarized light generator to which the partial light beams areincident and that generates polarized light the polarized lightgenerator includes; a plurality of polarization separating layers thatseparate each of the incident partial light beams into s-polarized lightand p-polarized light, respectively; a plurality of reflecting layersthat reflect the s-polarized light or the p-polarized light that wasseparated by the polarization separating layers, the polarizationseparating layers and the reflecting layers are arranged alternately;and a phase plate layer that unifies the separated s-polarized light andp-polarized light into one direction of polarization; a first stationarylight shielding member unmovably fixed between a light incident side ofthe polarized light generator and the lens array, and the first lightshielding member having a plurality of light shielding portions that aredisposed corresponding to the reflecting layers; a second stationarylight shielding member unmovably fixed between the first light shieldingmember and the lens array, and the second light shielding member havinga plurality of light shielding portions that are disposed correspondingto the reflecting layers; a light modulating device that modulates thepolarized light generated by the polarized light generator; and aprojector lens that projects light modulated by the light modulatingdevice.
 8. The projector according to claim 7, widths of the lightshielding portions of the second light shielding member being setsmaller than widths of the light shielding portions of the first lightshielding member.
 9. The projector according to claim 7, furthercomprising: a second lens array that is disposed at the light incidentside of the polarized light generator; the first light shielding memberbeing disposed at a light exit side of the second lens array; and thesecond light shielding member being disposed at a light incident side ofthe second lens array.
 10. A projector comprising: a light source thatemits a light beam; a lens array that divides the light beam into aplurality of partial light beams; a polarized light generator to whichthe partial light beams are incident and that generates polarized light;the polarized light generator includes: a plurality of polarizationseparating layers that separate each of the incident partial light beamsinto s-polarized light and p-polarized light; a plurality of reflectinglayers that reflect the s-polarized light or the p-polarized light thatwas separated by the polarization separating layers, the polarizationseparating layers and the reflecting layers are arranged alternately;and a phase plate layer that unifies the separated s-polarized light andp-polarized light into one direction of polarization; a plurality ofstationary light shielding members unmovably fixed between a lightincident side of the polarized light generator and the lens array, andthe plurality of light shielding members having a plurality of lightshielding portions that are disposed corresponding to the reflectinglayers; a light modulating device that modulates the polarized lightgenerated by the polarized light generator; and a projector lens thatprojects light modulated by the light modulating device.
 11. Theprojector according to claim 10, a width of each light shielding portionin the plurality of light shielding members being set smaller withincreasing a distance from the polarized light generator.
 12. Theprojector according to claim 10, further comprising: a second lens arraythat is disposed at the light incident side of the polarized lightgenerator; at least one of the plurality of light shielding membersbeing disposed at a light exit side of the second lens array; and atleast one of the rest of the plurality of light shielding members beingdisposed at a light incident side of the second lens array.